President Isaac Herzog warned Tuesday of “violence rearing its head” and pleaded with Israelis not to “cross red lines” during campaign season, noting that both previous periods of Jewish sovereignty were destroyed by internal hatred.

“In recent days, we have once again seen dangerous violence rearing its head across the country,” he said, in a brief televised address days after the Knesset dispersed ahead of October 27 elections.

The president did not go into further detail, and it was not immediately clear to what he was referring. Recent weeks have, however, seen unruly behavior by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators protesting the military draft, as well as violence by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank.

“I turn to elected representatives, activists, and all candidates from all parties, and demand that you do not cross red lines. Do not turn rivals into enemies,” Herzog said. “I call on the people of Israel, in a clear voice: Remember that elections are not a civil war.”

The president warned of “internal and external” threats to the integrity of elections, and urged law enforcement to act against all such threats.

He noted a meeting he held earlier this month with Shin Bet chief David Zini and Central Elections Committee chairman Noam Sohlberg, which followed backlash over comments from........

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